Shenyang J-6
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1/72 scale kit by BILEK of the Mikoyan MiG-19
The famous Mikoyan-Gurevich design buro of the Soviet Union designed after the MiG-15 and MiG-17 jets a twin engined jet, the MiG-19. It flew first in 1953. During development, as usual in the days of early jets, modifications were needed, the development designations being "SM-1, 2 and SM2/2".
The twin engined MiG-19 got the NATO reporting name: "Farmer" and it could fly supersonic in level flight. It came into production in 1954 and was fitted with both guns and could fire unguided rockets. It had a KK-2 ejection seat. It was produced in very large numbers and widely exported to Warsaw Pact influenced countries, with over 5,000 aircraft.
The MiG-19S "Farmer C" was also produced under license by Czech industry in Aero Vodochody as S-105. The PM "Farmer E" was a version with missile capability with a different nose intake lip.
Shenyang of China manufactured the type under designation Shenyang J-6. The J-6 "called F-6" for export was very similar to the MiG-19S but had different canons (looking a bit thinner than the Soviet type) and also was often seen with a parachute housing on the vertical tail below the rudder. The Chinese F-6 was also developed by Shenyang in several sub-versions including a two seater! A very different ground attack version was the Nanchang A-5/Q-5.
Pakistan also operates the F-6 and the type was used in the Vietnam War by the North Vietnamese Air Force start to deploy it in 1968.
The type was delivered to more than 15 countries during the Cold War including Cuba, North Vietnam, Egypt, Pakistan, and North Korea. In the Middle East wars, the type was used in combat by Egypt and Syria. Some African countries today still use small numbers!
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A very nice 1/72 kit of the MiG-19 S is made by Bilek. Kit #956 represents the "Farmer S". It is much better than the very old KP MiG-19 kit. See UPDATE below on this old KP and the new KP "Kovozavody Prostejov" MiG-19 kits.
The Bilek kit that is much better than the old KP. There are about 100 parts and 5 decal options:
-1- MiG-19S Czech AF, metal scheme
-2- Shenyang J-6 in an attractive Chinese camo scheme
-3- Shenyang J-6 of North Vietnam AF, code 6023 in a metal scheme as based at Yen air base in 1969.
-4- DDR Mig 19S in metal scheme, code "844"
-5- MiG 19S , Soviet aerobatic team with red upper surfaces", code "42, 1959
(scheme 3 was picked).
I got a thin replacement vacuform canopy from Pavla , seen at left.
The parts are fine and need some removal of flash. Panel lines are very fine and mostly recessed.
The model was made rather straight out of the box for the model collection of Migs. The seat and cockpit got some bit of detail made from scrap.
There are considerable fit problems with this kit, particularly in the nose area.
First the fuselage was sanded, filled with putty (usually I use a white car putty of ALABASTINE). The numerous fairings for inlet and exhausts were NOT yet fitted. After that, the wing and tail plane were fitted.
Again, filler was needed and after drying sanded.
It can be seen that the wheel bays are a bit "bare", but only some sprue was added as this was to be a low effort model.
Next, the many fairings were added, any gaps filled with White Glue. Same was done for the wing fences.
The model would get a "bare metal" finish. The ALCLAD II technique was used. This needed polishing.. and polishing to have no scratches! Smaller parts like the wheel doors were replaced with card as the kit part are thick. These were also to get a metal coat. Stores like fuel tanks and their pylons need also sanding and polishing.
So after polishing, a gloss black under coat was airbrushed on (with the Harder Steinbeck airbrush).
After that, I added a couple of gloss Johnson Future/Pledge coats to get a shiny undercoat.
ALCLAD II Gloss Aluminium was used. IMMEDIATELY clean up your airbrush when done!
In front of the guns, a gun metal area was painted. I was not sure about the cockpit inside colouring, a mid-grey was used.
NOTE: I later found that for the Shenyang F-6/J-6 the canon barrels are to fat in this kit; it would have been better to replace them with thinner ones from rod. Also, some Shenyangs have a parachute fairing below the rudder.
The decals were from kit scheme (3): Shenyang J-6 of the North Vietnam People's air force, code 6023 in a metal scheme as based at Yen Bai air base in 1969. This would nicely fit into the Vietnam Air War collection. Note that a real aircraft was roughly assembled and at the time quick manufacturing took place.
Only a few decals need to be applied.
The PAVLA canopy was used and the screen was cut loose. The windscreen needed some white glue to close gaps. This was painted aluminium when dry.
The undercarriage, stores and pylons were fitted. The nose pitot tube end got a metal bit of a needle set on with superglue.
(North) VIETNAM
< north Vietnam 1945-1975
< Vietnam after 1975 
[North Vietnam from 1945-1975>> area: 157,880 sq.km | population 1974: 23 million | capital: Hanoi ]
[Vietnam after 1975>> area: 331,700 sq.km | population: 97 million | capital: Hanoi | GDP USD 3,500 per capita nominal ]
After the second world war, in the South-East Asian region the "communist" Democratic Republic of North Vietnam was declared by leader Ho Chi Minh with Chinese help. The region was under French control so the first Indo-China war brook out but in 1954 the French withdraw. In 1955 south of the 17th parallel, South-Vietnam was to become a separate country supported by the West. But this was not accepted by North Vietnam. A dramatic Vietnam war erupted also affecting countries of Laos, Cambodia and U.S. armed forces from Army, Navy and USAF. The CIA operated "Air America". Many lives were lost during this large scale war involving also frequent US carpet bombing by B-52's. The army on the ground fighted in the jungle war and even under ground with tunnels and eventually succeeded though with large losses. But eventually North Vietnam succeeded to throw out all U.S forces and became re-united in 1975 after the fall of Saigon as "Vietnam". From 2000, normal diplomatic relations are established with the West and even the USA (with still growing disputes with China) and Vietnam is a growing economy.
In 1945 the small "Vietnam People's Air Force" started with a Tiger Moth and Morane-Saulnier trainer of the emperor Bao Dai. From 1959 some small transports were An-2, Li-2 and Il-14 with Yak-18 trainers. After a Laos pilot defected, his T-28 was used and later became the first aircraft to shoot down a U.S. C-123 on 15 February 1964. Aircraft were supplied by the Soviets and China like MiG-17 from beginning 1964, Su-7 and later from 1965 over 100 MiG-21 and some Il-28 bombers. China supplied Shenyang F-6 (MiG-19) as well. The air war over Vietnam led to considerable losses to US flown aircraft, mainly caused by SA-2 missiles but also due to dogfights though the North Vietnamese only deployed their fighters when they expected an advantage.
After the collapse of South-Vietnam in 1975, several captured U.S. aircraft were re-deployed including former captured US A-37 and F-5E. Communist Vietnam took a more independent course from 1976 and conflicts with Cambodia ("Kampuchea") and China emerged. Some ex-US Bell AH-1 helicopters were used in local border wars against tanks. Over 150 new MiG-21bis and -UM were deployed as well from 1979 as were over 60 SU-22 Fitters. A naval patrol flight obtained from 1979 Be-12 and Kamov KA-25 helicopters that are flown from Cat Bi.
Even from 1995 Sukhoi SU-27 flankers were acquired and current aircraft are a few Sukhoi SU-22, remaining 10 SU-27 Flankers and over 12 new SU-30MK2V. Jet trainers are L-39 (and L-39NG ordered?) along with 14 Yak-130 advanced trainers.
Shenyang J-6, North Vietnam People's air force, code 6023, Yen Bai air base in 1969
at a North Vietnam base.....
A nice model of the Vietnam Air War is now in the World Air Forces in Plastic collection.
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References:
- MiG-19, 4+ Publications, Mark I ltd., Prague, Czech Republic, 2003
- Wings of Fame, Volume 9, pages 110-126
- MiG-19, Squadron Signal publications no.143 (note: inaccurate drawings!)
- Scale Aircraft Modelling, December 2018
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Created this page
August 29, 2013;